Thought for the week

“It’s not as nasty as it looks but it’s still quite dire.” Economist Paul Dales on the downward revision of U.S. second quarter growth to 1.3%.

Worth the paper it’s printed on?

Light news success stories in the papers this week included…
…Tulisa and her new book, not to mention responsibilities on X Factor, which landed her in 47 articles, several more than the 7 that reported on Colombian drug baron Daniel Barrera being arrested…
…The possibility of a Kanye West sex tape, speculation that resulted in 4 headlines, the same number that looked at the findings of a new study, which seems to report one third of cancers in over-70s are diagnosed in A&E…
…and, finally, the return of Downton Abbey to ITV, with no less than 94 stories focusing on the news, significantly more than the 19 looking at that British baby born on the frontline in Afghanistan.
(Source: Journalisted)

Weekly high

In an era of ongoing (or even worsening) austerity measures, more charities could do with taking a leaf out of the Rainforest Alliance book by creating down to Earth, realist adverts like this stunner. Poignant, and funny.

Weekly low

It goes without saying that an anti-gay political advocacy group should think twice about using a wedding photograph of two homosexual politicians in an awareness campaign. Cue law suit. PR, and moral #fail.

Three things that may happen next week…

Ohio will begin early voting ahead of next month’s U.S. Presidential Election, a key ‘swing state’ in the country, J.K. Rowling’s new book- The Casual Vacancy, her first aimed at adults- will likely head towards the top of the literary agenda, and European markets will react to the Spanish budget, containing more spending cuts, announced yesterday.

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 3rd October, Preston- Vision @ UCLAN; Retailers, property developers and councils will meet to talk about challenges facing all aspects of the British high street.
Thursday 4th October, Manchester- Fresh Awards @ The Midland Hotel; Annual award ceremony celebrating the best in marketing and creative industries.
If there is a success story, blunder, or tweeting town you’d like to see included email helloATsmokinggun.co.uk or tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!